Swimming aid device

ABSTRACT

A swimming aid device attached to the hands of the swimmer, for improving the swimming movement of the wearer through the water, which comprises a generally V-shaped body portion having laterally extending members adapted to encircle at least a portion of the thumb and forefinger and to be engaged by fasteners mounted on the body portion. The device is made of relatively flexible resilient or elastic sheet material. The body portion may be plain or arranged with reinforcing ribs. A plurality of fastening arrangements for the laterally extending members are disclosed.

United States Patent 1191 Okuniewski et al. 1 July 3, 1973 SWIMMING AID DEVICE 3,417,415 12/1968 Kozak 9/307 X [76] Inventors: Vincent F. okuniewski, 5136 Gerald FO EIG E TS O LICAT ONS S Warren. Mich. 8092; Leonard 556,165 4/1958 Canada 9/307 S. Flowers, 753 E. Valley Chase, 835,848 1/1939 France Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48013 1,248,039 10/1960 France 9/307 [22] Ffled: 1972 Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger [21] Appl. No.: 234,265 Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. O'Connor Related U.S. Application Data Atmmey BenJamm Colman [63] lCg ltginulatiot-in-gart of Ser. No. 97,275, Dec. 11, 57 I ABSTRACT a an one A swimming aid device attached to the hands of the [52] U.S. Cl. 9/308 Swimmer for improving the Swimming movement of the wearer through the water, which comprises a gener- [51] Int. Cl A63b 31/02 H v h d b d h l n [58] Field of Search 9/307, 308 a Y ape 0 Y avng aim Y F mg members adapted to enc1rcle at least a portion of the 961 22321092312052;21115322 25251,27:22:? UNITED STATES PATENTS relatively'flexible resilient or elastic sheet material. The l,008,l 17 l l/l9l l Copeland et al portion may be plain or arranged reinforcing ribs. A plurality of fastening arrangements for the laterar 6 1,535,896 4 1925 Bociek 9 307 any extendmg are dlscksed' 3,290,707 12/1966 M0ntgomery.. 9/307 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJIJL 3m: 3.742.539

' sum 1 or 3 F G 4 INVENTORS VINCENT F. OKUNIEWSKI BY 8 LEONARD B. FLOWERS MW M.

ATTORNEY PATENIEDJIIL 3% 3.742539 SHEHZ 0F 3 INVENTORS VINCENT F. OKUNIE WSKI 8\ LEONARD B. FLOWERS BY Mm AT "rm-ma v' SWIMMING AID DEVICE This application is a continuation in part of our now pending application Ser. No. 97,275, filed Dec. 11, 1970 for Swimming Aid Device, now abandoned.

The invention involves a swimming aid device having a relatively resilient or elastic and flexible body portion and a pair of laterally extending members which are adapted to encircle and form loops about portions of the thumb and forefinger so that the body of the device 'lies intermediate the thumb and forefinger'and in the crotch of the hand formed by these digits when spread apart. The body portion of the device becomes a web between the thumb and forefinger, enlarging the surface contact of the hand with the water to improve and facilitate propulsion of the swimmer.

The swimming aid device is formed of a sheet of material which is substantially water-impervious, is fitted with fasteners adjacent the lateral edges of the body portion and adjacent the proximal ends of the finger looping members, and substantially in alignment with perforations at the distal ends of the lateral members. These laterally extending members are secured to the body portion by prong-type headed fasteners which enter the perforations and secure the extensions about the thumb and forefinger. Several fastening arrangements for the laterally extending members are described more specifically hereinafter.

It is an object of the invention to provide a swimming aid device of relatively flexible elastic or resilient sheet material, to improve a swimmers propulsion through the water. It is another object to provide such a device for each hand of the swimmer, the device having a web body portion and laterally extending members adapted to form loops about the thumb and forefinger of the wearer. Still another object is to provide such a device which is relatively simple to construct and inexpensive to purchase, and which is usable by both children and adults.

Various further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example a preferred form of the invention. Reference is here made to the drawings annexed hereto and forming an integral part of this specification, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of a swimming aid device embodying the inventive construction herein disclosed and claimed, when placed upon the hand of a swimmer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the swimming aid device of FIG. 1 in lay-out arrangement..

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view ofthe body portion of the swimming aid device of this invention,

taken from above, and showing a modification of the same. I i FIG. 5 is another fragmentary perspective view of the body portion of the swimming aid device, taken from below, and showing a further modification.

FIG. 6 is a plan lay-out view of the swimming aid de vice, taken from below, showing yet another modification'of the body portion. I

FIG. 7 is another plan lay-out view of the swimming aid device having modifications in the laterally extending members adapted to form loops for the thumb and forefinger.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate buckle fastener for the finger and thumb loop members.

FIGS. 9 and II are substantially plan views of modified forms of the device embodying slightly different forms for attachment of the laterally extending members.

FIGS. 10 and 12 are fragmentary perspective views of the modified engagement portions of the means for fastening the laterally extending digit-looping members as shown in plan in FIGS. 9 and 11 respectively.

As illustrated in the several views of the drawings, the swimming aid device 10 comprises the body portion 12 having generally a V-shaped form' in plan view and extending at one side from the forefinger of the hand to the thumb at the other side, to substantially fill the crotch area between these digits when they are spread apart, a pair of laterally extending digit-looping members I4 and 16 connected to the body 12 and extending from each side thereof and having perforations l8 transversely through the members adjacent their distal ends, and a plurality of headed pin-type fasteners 20 fixedly or removably secured in the body portion 12 adjacent the proximal ends of the members 14 and 16 and substantially in alignment with the perforations 18.

As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the device 10, in layout, is made of a substantially flat sheet of material, the laterally extending member 14 being adapted to form a loop and to encircle the forefinger 22 when the distal end 24 is secured to the body 12 by the heads of the fasteners 20 passed through the perforations 18, the laterally extending member 16 being adapted to form a loop about the thumb 26 when the distal end 28 is secured by the heads of the fasteners 20 passed through perforations 18 therein.

The fastener 20, which may be made of a relatively corrosion-free metal or a plastic material, is provided with a base 30, a first shank portion 32, an intermediate flange 34, an upper shank portion 36 and a tapered head 38.

Since the body portion 12 and the laterally extending members 14 and 16 are all integrally formed as a unit, preferred materials to perform the various functions required for each of these elements include various typs of relatively flexible resilient and elastic plastic materials, such as the vinyls, urethanes, polypropylenes, rubbers, and other similar materials.

The fasteners 20 can be pre-affixed to the body 12 by passing the tapered head .38, upper shank portion 36 and the intermediate flange 34 through the openings 40 in the body portion 12 so that the first shank portion 32 are brought into alignment above the fastener heads 38 is fully seated therein between the base 30 and the intermediate flange 34. Thereafter, when the device is to be used, the laterally extending members 14 and 16 are looped about the forefinger and thumb respectively until the perforations 18 at'the distal ends 24 and 28 body portion as particularly illustrated in FIG. 4, or on its lower or under side. Or alternatively, the rearwardly extending stiffening ribs 42 can be formed in the body on the upper and lower surfaces 48 and 50 respectively of the body portion 12, particularly as illustrated in FIG. 5. Another alternate arrangement is that illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the body portion 12 is provided on one or both sides thereof with a waffle or grid pattern 52 of stiffening ribs.

A further modification of the device is illustrated in FIG. 7, in which the lateral digit loopingmembers 14 and 16 have their forward edges extending and connected to the frontal edge 54 of the body portion 12 whereby the area of contact with the water is substantially enlarged, in comparison to the body portion contact area illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 inclusive. In addition, it is believed that the attachment of the digit looping members 14 and 16 is materially strengthened when their leading edges 56,58 respectively are so connected to the frontal edge 54 of the body portion 12.

The device 10, in any of the forms illustrated, is ap plied to the hand of the swimmer by looping the laterally extending members, one at a time, over the forefinger 22 and the thumb 26 so that the body portion 12 lies intermediate these spread-apart digits, and bringing the perforations 18 of each distal end 24 and 28 into alignment over the tapered heads 38 of the fasteners 20 at each side of the body 12, then pressing the relatively flexible elastic end portions downwardly upon and toward the body 12 so that the fastener heads 38 pass entirely through the perforations and the ends 24 and 28 become secured upon and about the intermediate flanges 34 of the fasteners 20. The fastener head 38 being undercut to the upper shank portion 36, the head 38 thus becomes a retaining member above the distal ends 24 and 28 of the digit looping portions 14 and 16 respectively.

Alternatively, the fasteners 20, in the form illustrated and described above or in any other suitable form and style, can be secured to the distal ends of the extension members 14 and 16 for attachment to thebody portion 12 through the openings 40. In such case, the distal ends 24 and 28 would mount the shank portions 32 of the fasteners and the headed ends 38 would be applied to and through the body portion openings 40. Although pairs of the perforations 18 are illustrated in each of the distal ends 24 and 28, any number of such pairs, or single perforations, can be provided in these ends.

In the alternate fastener construction shown particularly in FIG. 8, the buckle fastener 60, having finger loop member openings 62 and 64 on either side of web 66, is attached to the body portion 12 by the male snap prong 68 pressed into the body fastener 70 which secures the loop members 14,16 to the body. The laterally extending members 14 and 16 are first adjusted in the buckles 60, through which their distal ends are passed, as shown and described above. The adjustment to the thumb or forefinger, as the case may be, should allow for comfortable fit in swimming. The buckle is then attached by snapping the fastener member 68 into the receiver 70 secured to the body portion 12.

As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 9 and 10, another slightly modified form of the swimming aid device 80 comprises the body portion 82 generally V-shaped in plan view, a pair of laterally extending digit-looping members 84,86 integrally formed with and extending from each lateral side of the body 82, and slits 88,88

and 90,90 defining the lateral borders of upwardly extending bridging loops or webs 92,94 respectively, adapted to receive the distal ends 96,98 of the laterally extending members 84,86 respectively. The bridging webs 92,94 are preferably formed by molding them into the elevated posture shown and described, although they can also be attached to the body portion without slitting, as for instance by adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The laterally extending members 84,86 are provided with serrated lateral edges rearwardly of the distal ends, for improved engagement with the bridging loops.

To mount the swimming aid device 80 securely upon the thumb and forefinger, the distal ends 96,98 are in serted through the open spaces 102 under the bridging webs 92,94 and drawn therethrough to secure the body portion 82 between and to the thumb and forefinger.

A further slight modification is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 in which the swimming aid device is provided with a body portion 112 having two pairs of closely adjacent parallel slots 114,114 and 116,116, disposed adjacent the proximal ends of the laterally extending digit-looping members 122,124, to provide web portions 118 and 120 respectively between the slots, the digit-looping members 122,124 having their lateral edges provided with serrations 126 and terminating' in distal ends 128,130 respectively adapted to be passed through the slots 114,114 and 116,116 respectively for securing the body portion 112 between and to the thumb and forefinger, as illustrated.

It will be observed that the swimming aid devices 80 and 110 have their modifications in the fastening structures for securing the laterally extending digit-looping members to the body of the device. In' every instance, he swimming aid devices of this invention can be easily and readily attached to the hand by the wearer without assistance.

Although certain particular embodiments of the in vention are hereindisclosed for purposes of explanation, further modifications thereof, after study of this specification, will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart,"

a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb,

andmeans for alternately securing and releasing the distal end portions of said digit looping members to said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members to secure said digit looping members about portions of said thumb and forefinger. I

2. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart,

a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb,

and prong-type fasteners affixed and secured to and in said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members and complementary openings in said digit looping members adjacent their distal ends adapted to come into register and engagement with said prong-type fasteners to secure said digit looping members to said body portion about portions of said thumb and forefinger.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said body portion is provided on at least one side thereof with stiffening ribs extending from a line adjacent the frontal edge of said body portion rearwardly toward said apex.

4. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said body portion is provided on its underside with stiffening ribs arranged in a grid-like pattern extending from a line adjacent the frontal edge of said body portion rearwardly toward said apex.

5. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart,

a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion, the frontal edges of said members meeting said frontal edge of said body portion at its lateral ends,

the rearward edge of said members meeting said side marginal edges of said body portion at a point forwardly of said apex, to provide an enlarged surface area for water contact,

and prong-type fasteners affixed and secured to said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members andcomple'mentary openings in said digit looping members adjacent their distal ends adapted to come into registerand engagement with said prong-type fasteners to secure said digit looping members to said body portion about portions of said thumb and forefinger.

6. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart,

a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb,

and a fastener adapted to secure each said laterally extending digit looping member adjacent its distal end to said body portion,

each said fastener comprising a buckle member having openings therethrough adapted to slidingly and adjustably receive the distal end portion of said digit looping member,

and means affixed to said body portion adjacent the proximal end of said digit looping member for removable attachment to said buckle memher.

7. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart,

a pair of digit-looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith andadapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb,

and fastening means for securing each said laterally extending digit-looping member adjacent its distal end to said body portion comprising bridging webs spaced slightlyabove the plane of said body portion and providing a space therebetween adapted to receive the distal end of each said laterally extending members and a portion adjacent thereto, said bridging webs being disposed above said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said laterally extending members and substantially transversely of their axes.

8. The structure defined in claim 7, wherein the lateral edges of said digit-looping members adjacent their respective distal ends are serrated for improved securement with said bridging webs.

9. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising 7 a body portion having a gene'rallyV-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, I

a pair of digit-looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said widefrontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb,

laterally extending members and substantially transversely of their axes. 10. The structure defined in claim 9, wherein the lateral edges of said digit-looping members adjacent their respective distal ends are serrated for improved securement with said body portion webs formed by and intermediate each said pair of said slots. 

1. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb, and means for alternately securing and releasing the distal end portions of said digit looping members to said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members to secure said digit looping members about portions of said thumb and forefinger.
 2. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb, and prong-type fasteners affixed and secured to and in said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members and complementary openings in said digit looping members adjacent their distal ends adapted to come into register and engagement with said prong-type fasteners to secure said digit looping members to said body portion about portions of said thumb and forefinger.
 3. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said body portion is provided on at least one side thereof with stiffening ribs extending from a line adjacent the frontal edge of said body porTion rearwardly toward said apex.
 4. The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said body portion is provided on its underside with stiffening ribs arranged in a grid-like pattern extending from a line adjacent the frontal edge of said body portion rearwardly toward said apex.
 5. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion, the frontal edges of said members meeting said frontal edge of said body portion at its lateral ends, the rearward edge of said members meeting said side marginal edges of said body portion at a point forwardly of said apex, to provide an enlarged surface area for water contact, and prong-type fasteners affixed and secured to said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said digit looping members and complementary openings in said digit looping members adjacent their distal ends adapted to come into register and engagement with said prong-type fasteners to secure said digit looping members to said body portion about portions of said thumb and forefinger.
 6. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb, and a fastener adapted to secure each said laterally extending digit looping member adjacent its distal end to said body portion, each said fastener comprising a buckle member having openings therethrough adapted to slidingly and adjustably receive the distal end portion of said digit looping member, and means affixed to said body portion adjacent the proximal end of said digit looping member for removable attachment to said buckle member.
 7. A swimming aid device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit-looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb, and fastening means for securing each said laterally extending digit-looping member adjacent its distal end to said body portion comprising bridging webs spaced slightly above the plane of said body portion and providing a space therebetween adapted to receive the distal end of each said laterally extending members and a portion adjacent thereto, said bridging webs being disposed above said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said laterally extending members and substantially transversely of their axes.
 8. The structure defined in claim 7, wherein the lateral edges of said digit-looping members adjacent their respective distal ends are serrated for improved securement with said bridging webs.
 9. A swimming aiD device adapted to be worn on the hand and secured to and between the forefinger and thumb of the swimmer comprising a body portion having a generally V-shaped configuration in plan, said body portion having a relatively wide frontal edge and two marginal edges tapering rearwardly to an apex adjacent the crotch formed by the forefinger and thumb of the hand when spread apart, a pair of digit-looping members extending laterally from the two marginal side edges of said body portion intermediate said wide frontal edge and said apex, formed integrally therewith and adapted to encircle and loop about the forefinger and thumb, and fastening means for securing each said laterally extending digit-looping member adjacent its distal end to said body portion comprising two pairs of relatively closely adjacent parallel slots through said body portion forming web portions therebetween, each pair of said slots adapted to receive therethrough the distal end and adjacent portion of each said digit-looping member, said two pairs of said slots being disposed in said body portion adjacent the proximal ends of said laterally extending members and substantially transversely of their axes.
 10. The structure defined in claim 9, wherein the lateral edges of said digit-looping members adjacent their respective distal ends are serrated for improved securement with said body portion webs formed by and intermediate each said pair of said slots. 